Planning

Soft Market Testing - Specialist child exploitation support service

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Jan 2026 at 16:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Nottinghamshire County Council is currently in the planning stage of a public procurement process concerning a contract titled "Soft Market Testing - Specialist child exploitation support service". This initiative is aimed at expanding current provisions and establishing enhanced support for children affected by criminal and sexual exploitation within Nottingham and surrounding areas, referenced as regions UKF15 and UKF16. The procurement falls under the services category in the social work domain (CPV: 85300000) and is designed to be above the financial threshold, thus adhering to the light touch regime. Interested parties are encouraged to participate in a soft market testing exercise, concluding with submissions due by 29th January 2026. The entire contracting period is projected to run from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2029. For more details and further participation, interested organisations can reach out via the provided contact point at Nottinghamshire County Council.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in social work and child welfare services to contribute to the enhancement of support systems for vulnerable children. The Council is specifically looking to increase funding by one-third for its already commissioned specialist service, enabling greater collaboration with both statutory and non-statutory bodies such as the youth justice service and other related projects. The procurement process is well-suited to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) owing to its suitability criteria. Businesses with expertise in providing inclusive, supporting, and aspirational services for young people, especially those at risk of exploitation, are highly encouraged to engage with this market engagement opportunity to share insights that will shape future commissioning strategies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Testing - Specialist child exploitation support service

Notice Description

Nottinghamshire County Council currently commission a specialist service to support children at risk of sexual exploitation and looking to expand the provisions of this contract to support children impacted by criminal exploitation. In our local area, we recognise that children impacted by criminal exploitation often receive substantial support through our youth justice service, the youth service and other projects (often funded by the Violent Reduction Partnership) which seek to offer safe, positive and aspirational spaces providing opportunities for inclusion, connection and constructive activity. One of the strengths of our current specialist commissioned service is having the remit to reach out to families impacted by child sexual exploitation in a way that provides space, time and connection to increase safety whilst supporting children out of sexual exploitation. We recognise that providing a carbon copy of this approach to children impacted by criminal exploitation may not work in the same way given the statutory involvement of several other welfare and criminal justice services. As such, we are looking at what an increase in funding (by 1/3) for our commissioned specialist service could achieve for children impacted by criminal exploitation in light of other support available through local statutory and non-statutory services. Your feedback will help us better understand market conditions, refine our commissioning strategy, and ensure that any potential future contact is informed by provider experience. We value your input and expertise in the market, and welcome open and honest conversations throughout the process. To reiterate, this is not a procurement exercise but rather a data gathering exercise.

Planning Information

Appropriate providers are encouraged to participate in the soft market testing exercise on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060925
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004495-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jan 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Jan 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
samantha.gilbert@nottscc.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
NOTTINGHAM
Postcode
NG2 7QP
Post Town
Nottingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF16 South Nottinghamshire
Delivery Location
TLF15 North Nottinghamshire, TLF16 South Nottinghamshire
Local Authority
Rushcliffe
Electoral Ward
Trent Bridge
Westminster Constituency
Rushcliffe

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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